Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Cute Animals 'n' Shit

Those who know me well know that in the days immediately before I'm due to set off on a big trip, the best thing to do is keep away from me. I cease entirely to be the sweet-tempered frolicking teddy bear beloved of millions. The combination of packing, the anticipation of air travel, and the wrapping up of a thousand work details turns me into Vlad the Impaler, only without the wry sense of humor.

About the only person who seems to be able to calm me down is C, who managed to get me out of the apartment and into the fresh air (or what passes for it around here) for much of the weekend.

On Saturday, he good-naturedly accompanied me to the Zen Center to celebrate Vesak–Buddha's birthday. A merry time was had by all, though I was disappointed that they did not attempt to put 2,500 candles into the cake. The cake was very pretty, topped by a blue frosting elephant. C said if he were Buddha he'd rather have a big Mrs. Field's cookie with a Power Ranger on it.

On Monday, we paid a visit to the Lincoln Park Zoo, a short distance from our neighborhood, and I was able to lose myself for a little while in photography. I will be using a new telephoto lens on the trip, and this was a great chance to work with it.

We saw a leopard. Leopards always make me think of Gloria Swanson.

We saw a feisty, one-legged bird of some sort.

I often look like this on Monday mornings.

We saw a monkey who was contemplating the fact that George W. Bush still has more than nine hundred days left in his final term.

We learned that in monkey families, just as in human families, naptime is often mostly for the benefit of the adults.

If you should see a Public Letter-Writer at work in Istanbul, I'd like a picture of him. 25 years ago, they congregated near the market with (what I am sure were) battered Remingtons.Nowadays, they probably have Blackberries, or do I mean Blueberries? One of my husband's artist's pictures is called, The Turking Letter-Writer. That's why I want it.

Great photos, especially of last subject. He is a hottie. And if it's C, even better! ;-) I have to agree with C about the cake for Buddha. I think in this day and age, a Mrs. Fields cookie with a Power Ranger on it would be MUCH more appropriate. Either that, or Bob the Builder (Can we do it? Yes we can!). :-D

Have a wonderful time, Sweetness and Light. Those pics from the zoo were just great! Let's do some photography together at Rhinebeck now that we both have awesome cameras. I need a macro lens AND a telephoto. Where's that sugar daddy?

I wish I were as good of a photographer, but I guess I should just feel lucky that you have a magic touch that always makes me look about fortyleven times better than usual (and I can still hear the lens make cracking noises)! xoxoxoxo - C.

Franklin, you are as amazing a photographer as you are a knitter! I love the picture of bird doing flaming impersonations, and monkey that thinks it's a porn star (perhaps it is! Who can say what is what in the primitive and mysterious simian world!). And if that is C then when it is your birthday I'll just give you a Mrs Field's cookie with HIM on top... Happy Birthday Franklin, Happy Birthday etc etc... should I sew him up a Power Rangers uniform?

Copyright and Posting Notice

All original content of this blog, both words and images, is held in copyright by F. Habit. Use of any kind, in any medium, for any reason without express, prior written consent is prohibited.

Permission is not granted for the posting of any content from this site to Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, or any other Web site.

Please do not provide links to any product, service, organization or cause when leaving comments unless directly related to the topic of the post. Unsolicited advertising will be deleted and repeat offenders will be blocked.

When in doubt, please ask. I'm not mean, I'm just committed to preserving the quality of experience for my readers.